Ben Wigger is an elder in the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan.

On October 13 Rev. Woudenberg spoke at the chapel services of Heritage Christian School in Hudsonville. He based his remarks on Psalm 18:29, and he came up with an interesting title, one which no doubt raised the interest level of the students at Heritage. “By my God have I leaped over a wall.”

Mr. James Decker spoke at Heritage the night of October 8, to help kick off a new school year and a new P.T.A. meeting. He spoke on “Communication between parents and teachers.”

Hope Protestant Reformed Christian School’s P.T.A. also met during the month of October. Rev. M. Kamps spoke to those there that night on “Teacher Appreciation.”

Prof. Hoeksema’s Canons class met for the first time this season on October 7 in the Seminary Assembly Room. Plans were to finish the discussion of Canons V, and the conclusion, and then begin a study of the Doctrine of the Last Things.

Doon’s bulletin just informed me that the Rev. D. Kuiper has obtained the temporary work permit needed to begin his work in Canada and the Kuipers planned to leave for Lacombe sometime in mid-October. As of now I have no further word on the date his installation will take place.

The Fall Ladies’ League in the Hull, Doon, and Edgerton area met October 15 at 1:00 P.M. in Hull. The topic was “A Comfort in Times Like These”. The speaker was Rev. Moore, and Rev. Dykstra was to answer some questions that had been sent in.

“Society Life” was the topic Rev. Kamps spoke on at the annual Fall Mass Meeting of the Eastern League of Men’s and Ladies Societies which met recently at Southwest Church.

The Consistory of Doon Church thanked all those who helped paint their church Saturday, October 3.

There was also a note of appreciation from Pella’s consistory thanking those who helped clean their church. The congregation was told to take note of the clean windows, the slippery benches, and shiny walls. In spite of the sore muscles and tired bodies, they had an enjoyable day.

The Conference on the Christian Family was held at the South Holland Protestant Reformed Church October 16 & 17. My wife and I were unable to attend, but from those who did we have heard nothing but positive things. Comments like “tremendous, well worth the trip, we wish everyone could have attended, so much to absorb” were not uncommonly heard around our church on Sunday morning. Approximately 300 people attended this two-day conference. Friday evening Rev. Carl Haak spoke on “The Biblical Foundation of the Family”. Saturday morning Rev. James Slopsema spoke on “The Role of Family Worship”, and Saturday afternoon Rev. David Engelsma brought the conference to a close by speaking on “The Happiness of a Godly Home.” Sandwiched between these three main addresses were panel discussions, book reviews, workshops, question and answer periods and lots of good Christian fellowship.

One of the weekly bulletins from the Evangelical Reformed Church of Singapore contained an item you might find interesting. Upon the suggestion of some members that one of the problems faced by their officebearers is their attempt to do things beyond their capability, the Session has commissioned Elder See to set up a study committee to look into the following subjects:

1. Frequency, length, and subject of all official meetings.

2. Workloads of all officebearers.

3. Participation and non-participation of members in the activities and work of the church.

The committee is to give its report by the end of February of next year.

The following is taken from Across the Aisle, a publication of First Church in Grand Rapids, and is quoted from a pamphlet titled, “Soundings”.

“Why is it,” said a rich man to his minister, “that people call me stingy when everyone knows that when 1 die I’m leaving everything to this church?”

“Let me tell you the story of the pig and the cow,” said the minister. “The pig was unpopular and the cow was beloved. This puzzled the pig. ‘People speak warmly of your gentle nature and your soulful eyes,’ the pig said to the cow. ‘They think you’re generous because each day you give them milk and cream. But what about me? I give them everything I have. I give them bacon and ham. I provide bristles for brushes. They even pickle my feet! Yet no one likes me. Why is that?'”

“Do you know what the cow answered?” said the minister.

“She said, ‘Perhaps it’s because I give while I’m still living.'”